Buffalo Rising Online

The Bass Pro in Buffalo will be different from other Bass Pro locations. Being connected to the lake with the canal runnning into the building will be unique and impressive.

There's no better place for a Bass Pro than the bass fishing capital of the world.

There needs to be a certain naturalistic elegance with bass pro. The rest of the canal side needs to be volumetric, Maybe not just one architectural theme throughout but a categorical symbolism of space. I still have issue with bass pro being a cornerstone for such a large project. As it is, it will be eclipsed by the sour winds of our transportation infrastructure. The way i see things happening is simple. Break up the inner harbor for different visceral appetite, all of which respect the historical significance modestly. Create a more delectable energy on the hsbc side and intimate pockets for the heightened interior. a few slender brick buildings mixed in.

I see the axis of bass pro as a banjo for buffalo's violin future. If and when we pump millions of dollars into this project, we do so because the people demand it. I think its lame duck development to not consider an even bigger move in the space following the success of this project. We have to look at our aesthetic contribution and reinforce our values in this project moving forward. Ideally we spark interest because of our satisfying environment, bad climate or not.

-They must also re-identify the public with the metro rail. A new station seems like a necessary part of this big investment.(do we take the gamble and extend it to the casino?)

-I would like to see the canal become as romantic as a torn down goal post at rich stadium.

-we need some soft transparency to embrace the hsbc tower past the 190. This would help re-associate so much of our cities fervor at its most interesting pitch.

Bass Pro still has not even signed an agreement to build the store here. I would tamp down a few notches on the enthusiasm. Apparently some of the Bass Pro supporters around here haven't been reading the financial headlines lately. This is not exactly the best time for multi-million-dollar retail expansions.

Some people appear to be impressed very easily.

I think they should buy the Albright Knox and annex the Historical Society, dub them "Bass Pro and Prepubecent Bass"

Like I said before and I will say it again, Bass Pro will NEVER come to Buffalo....watch and see

does that make you feel better bout yourself now gaustad?

kooks - thanks for the psychoanalysis - you are a regular genius.

Stop waiting for something significant to happen in this city........accept mediocrity

I thought Bass Pro DID Sign and that's why the Aud is finally comig down, because we had to wait for it to be official. Am I missing something or are a few of the commenters missing something?

Gaustad -

“The pessimist may be right in the long run, but the optimist has a better time during the trip.”

Gaustad -

“The pessimist may be right in the long run, but the optimist has a better time during the trip.”

nickatnite - This was never an issue of pessimism or optimism.

Its a matter of setting realistic expectations based on historical trends in order to plan for a successful existence in order to procure happiness.

Did anyone notice how similar the Menteca Bass Pro is to the Aud?

There's even a "skyway" in the conceptual drawing--look to the right

Manteca Bass Pro and the Aud

"Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute" - Gil Stern

My recall from news reports is BP hasn't singed anything that legally binds them to build the store, but they've said they plan to do so and they've signed memorandums of understanding with NY State and things like that. And they still say the plan to put the store here - it's on their web site map of future stores as of today. Map is here.

So they say they plan to build it, but it's still within their rights to not build it. Even if BP isn't a 100% sure thing, I think the Aud demolition makes a lot of sense so the city and state would want to go ahead with that regardless.

I agree with the comments that the importance is overstated. It's retail that will mostly draw retail spending that would have happened here anyway in non-subsidies stores. Seeing something built will be a good pyschological boost for some people, but real economic impact won't be much.

Paul - I've no idea. There were some press releases the past couple years announcing that Buffalo contingents would be attending the national retailers expo to try luring stores for Canal Side. Maybe there's plans in the works that haven't been made public yet. It's anyone's guess what stores they're trying for and whether there's any return interest. I'm not convinced there will be much retail around the waterfront besides BP, assuming for now that BP does come. Maybe a few stores next to it will happen. Time will tell.

Paul - I agree not much national retail is likely near the waterfront except Bass Pro if it comes. Where I disagree with you is I doubt many local retailers would find the waterfront a smart location either. Demographic factors you mention will impact local retail as well, whether or not they realize it ahead of time. A few stores will probably end up down there, maybe with more taxpayer subsidy even beyond what's offered to BP, a but even with that it won't be many.

There already are some better retail areas in Buffalo/city - "better" compared to downtown anyway - Elmwood, Hertel, and the north part of Delaware where Target will soon be expanding, and Kohls is building, and a few strip plazas seem doing pretty well. It's not much but it's more than nothing, and happened without government micromanaging and as far as I know without taxpayer gifts. For some reason the politicians decided the waterfront should have retail and will try to make it happen. Whatever.